The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) announced in June it was considering whether the deal will lead to a “substantial lessening of competition” and the companies were invited to offer proposals to address those concerns.

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Heineken then tabled an offer to sell pubs in 33 locations the CMA identified as having the potential to impact competition and in turn push up prices for consumers, which the CMA indicated in June “might be acceptable to remedy the competition concerns it has identified”.

In a market update today, the CMA said: “Before reaching a final decision, the CMA carefully assessed and consulted publicly on these proposed undertakings.

“The CMA is satisfied that its concerns have been addressed and has therefore decided that the merger will not be referred for an in-depth phase 2 investigation.”

The competition watchdog previously stated the 1,895 Punch pubs Heineken is looking to buy, adding to around 1,100 leased pubs it already owns across the UK, accounts for around four per cent of the market and is therefore “not a major route to market for brewers”.

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The Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA) has already voiced its concerns about the takeover, which would increase Heineken's market share in Scotland from around 2.0 per cent at present to 6.0 per cent and accused Heineken of focusing investment on city centre bars over smaller, local pubs.